NMMC corporators meet CM, Uddhav to keep Mundhe out

Mundhe, who was hand-picked by the chief minister, has also submitted a report to the state government on the entire episode and Fadnavis is likely to take a call on the issue only by next week.
(HT file photo)

In a bid to get rid of IAS officer Tukaram Mundhe, elected representatives from Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) on Friday met chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray to ensure that the state government does not supersede the resolution passed by them to send Mundhe back to the government.

The exercise was undertaken after Fadnavis indicated backing Mundhe by saying that he is an efficient officer and Navi Mumbai needs him.

The nine-member delegation led by mayor Sudhakar Sonawane first met Thackeray and later Fadnavis at his official residence late in the evening demanding that their resolution be accepted which would lead to Mundhe’s exit from the satellite city. Fadnavis, however, assured them that the decision would be taken considering all the sides, claimed sources.

In a special meeting convened on October 25, NMMC corporators passed a no-confidence motion against Mundhe with 104-6 vote in the 111-member House. Members from Congress and Shiv Sena supported the motion proposed by the ruling Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), while six BJP corporators voted against it. The state government, however, can use its special powers to suspend or rescind the resolution.

Mundhe, who was hand-picked by the chief minister, has also submitted a report to the state government on the entire episode and Fadnavis is likely to take a call on the issue only by next week. The municipal commissioner has also received ample support from the citizens for cracking down on corruption in the civic body of Mumbai’s satellite city, and acting swiftly on illegal encroachments.

Sena, who is at the side of corporators, said any decision allowing Mundhe to continue to serve at the post will be considered as anti-public. “Everyone is against Mundhe and staying him on the post is against public interest,” said a senior Sena leader, requesting not to be named.

Meanwhile, according to sources, the elected representatives had plans of meeting governor C Vidyasagar Rao but the idea was later shelved due to time constraint.